Human Resources - 12 Month Industrial Placement Scheme

Business, Project Management, Analytics.

Applications are expected to open on the 23rd December 2026.
We will alert you as soon as it opens.
Applications are expected to open on the 23rd December 2026.
Follow us on Gradcracker to be alerted when it opens.

We currently have some exciting opportunities for industrial placement students to join Caterpillar across several of our sites. You will have the opportunity to work with others across our organisation and you will be directly involved, and at the heart of our business, participating on strategic projects.

Please note that to be eligible to complete a 12-Month Industrial Placement commencing July 2027, you must be in your penultimate year of study unless enrolled in an integrated Master’s programme.

How the panel made their applications stand out
Tom, Vivek and Gajena share how they made their own applications stand out.
To watch the full Gradcracker/Caterpillar webinar, click here.

What do we do?

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Since 1925, we’ve been driving sustainable progress and helping customers build a better world through innovative products and services.

Throughout the product life cycle, we offer services built on cutting-edge technology and decades of product expertise. These products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value to help our customers succeed.

We have a clear vision to be the global leader in providing customer value in the markets in which we operate. Our core values (Safety, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Commitment and Sustainability) are key to our success.

What you will do:

The Human Resources (HR) team which you will work within are responsible for partnering with leaders and employees throughout the business; working towards maximising the potential of each employee and making sure Caterpillar is a great place to work.

You will gain invaluable experience working predominantly within the core HR team (Employee Relations Team). In addition to working with the core HR team, you will also be exposed to recruitment & selection, learning & development, and occupational health.

This experience will ultimately allow you to transition into a general HR practitioner. The role will provide you with solid grounding and will be the catalyst from which you are able to progress and continue your commitment to a career in Human Resources. This is a fantastic opportunity for a local placement with an international employer.

Job duties and responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

  • Maintaining the employee absence log
  • Supporting the day-to-day running of the HR team
  • Note taking in disciplinary and grievance meetings
  • Producing and formatting presentations for a variety of HR topics
  • HR Project work
  • Supporting the recruitment process
  • Producing absence and disciplinary KPIs
  • Liaising with Occupational Health
  • HR training delivery
  • Providing basic HR support to leaders

Who are we looking for?

As the type of roles within our business are becoming more diverse, we are looking for people who are open minded, excellent problem solvers and who have an ability to learn quickly. You will be motivated, hard-working, and will embrace change. In return for your dedication and hard work, you will be provided with excellent career opportunities and strong support for your personal and career development to pursue a career within Caterpillar.

  • Ability to work alone and as part of a team
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Able to demonstrate good organisational, analytical and time management skills
  • Ability to build relationships and trust
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive issues
  • Intellectual curiosity
  • Creative thinker
  • Ability to learn, utilise and embrace new technology or processes

Applicants will be on target to achieve a minimum of 2:2 honours degree level in a relevant discipline:

  • Human Resources
  • Business

What experiences can we offer you?

As an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity at Caterpillar and believe the more experience you can gain early in your career the further you can go. That’s why during our yearlong scheme we place an emphasis on multiple diverse projects.

You will have the opportunity to work and collaborate with people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide and we are looking for you to bring fresh, innovative ideas to solve complex technical problems. You will be a fully involved team member with responsibility and accountability for key project deliverables. That said, you will be given all the support you require to be successful.

Our placement roles have the additional benefit of a workplace mentor; this could be your manager or a technical expert who will support you throughout your time at Caterpillar and help you gain the professional development and skills you need to be set up for success! Our placement students can expect to return to university with further developed technical skills and experience of how University learning is applied to the workplace.

We also operate a conditional offer process; our highest performing placement students are fast tracked to our graduate development scheme. This includes a financial incentive and the potential of a summer work placement. Offers will be made based on the condition that a graduate role is available at the time of your graduation and that you achieve a min of 2:2.

Recruitment Process Guide

We're excited that you're considering a career with Caterpillar. Below is an overview of our Early Careers recruitment process and what you can expect at each stage.

Step 1: Online Application

To apply, simply complete our online application form and upload your CV before the advertised closing date.

Our team will review all submissions & we'll keep you updated and let you know as soon as possible if you've been selected to progress to the next stage.

Step 2: Online Assessments & Video Interview

If you are selected to move forward in the process, you'll be invited to complete some online assessments, followed by a user-friendly video interview. Your responses will be reviewed by the hiring team and successful candidates will then be invited to attend an in-person Assessment Centre which we anticipate will take place on 11th March 2027 at our Larne facility. If possible, we recommend keeping this date available.

To ensure you don't miss any communications from us, please regularly check your text, email inbox (including your spam/junk folder) and your Workday account for updates.

Step 3: In Person Assessment Centre

Our Assessment Centre is designed to help you showcase your potential through a range of interactive activities focused on competencies such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.

We aim to make the experience engaging, inclusive, and relaxed, giving you the best opportunity to demonstrate your strengths and learn more about Caterpillar.

Step 4: Offer

Following the Assessment Centre, the Caterpillar team will review all feedback and make hiring decisions. We aim to communicate outcomes and extend offers to successful candidates as quickly as possible. Placement students will start in late June 2027.

Notes:

  • The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.
  • Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. This may also include an adjustment to the application deadline date.
  • This position requires working onsite five days a week/all week.
We've signed the Gradcracker feedback pledge.
(This means that we will supply feedback if requested after an interview.)
Applications are expected to open on the 23rd December 2026.
We will alert you as soon as it opens.
Applications are expected to open on the 23rd December 2026.
Follow us on Gradcracker to be alerted when it opens.

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  • Starting
    5th July 2027
  • Hiring Multiple Candidates
    Yes
  • Salary
    £26,000 + benefits
  • Degree required
    2:2 and above (expected)
  • Duration
    12 months
  • Location
    Larne (Northern Ireland)
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Disciplines Accepted...
  • Analytics/Statistics
  • Business
  • Project Management
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